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Hi all,
One of these days I'll look and see who is on the yahoo list so that I'm not doubling some of you up with e-mails. So, until then, sorry if you're seeing this twice.
Really nice job on Saturday. If you would have told me the score would be 7-0, against what is arguably the "best" and most experienced team in our matrix, I wouldn't have believed you.
That's not to say I thought they'd score more....I knew you all had the heart and will to stop Georgetown. You got in their faces, held them to their half, busted your butts all over the field, and worked together as a team. Remember that desire, remember that will to stop a team....you need to draw from that every game.
Offensively, we did okay.....in some ways great....in other ways we need a lot of work.
The good stuff....
Just like the heart you showed of defense...we had it on offense. There was no let-up....I know that most of you left everything you had on the field. Thank you.
There were definately moments of brilliance....there was some great stuff out there. We need to piece that together and use it to score tries.
The OTHER stuff....
IT TAKES 15 PLAYERS TO DRIVE THE BALL DOWNFIELD.....IT TAKES 15 PLAYERS TO PUNCH IT IN FOR A TRY! We let a 14-7 Towson victory slip out of our hands.
How do we score???? WE KEEP POSSESSION OF THE BALL. WE RUN PHASES. We take the ball into contact, set a ruck or maul, set up a forward punch (Tiger or Quick Pick) or get it to the backline, we take the ball into contact, set a ruck or maul, set up a punch or a backline play, we take the ball into contact, set a ruck or maul, set up a punch or a backline play, we take the ball into contact......get the idea? WE KEEP POSSESSION of the BALL, and we score.
LAST WARNING! If i see someone run sideways across the field without an attempt to get upfield (find a hole, plant a foot, make a cut, and accelerate through the hole), you're coming off the field.
When we get inside our opponent's 22 we SETTLE DOWN, we run SMART OFFENSE, we run PHASE RUGBY, we work together as a TEAM, and we score a TEAM TRY. Got it?
When did we talk about passing with our arms wrapped up OR trying to pass when we're getting throw around? We didn't, and we do not. We make a quality pass BEFORE we get into contact, and if we can't do that, then we tuck the ball and accelerate through contact....setting up a ruck or maul, setting up a forward punch or backline play, etc, etc, again, again, and again until we score.
If you end up with a defender wrapped around you, stay low, keep the ball on your back hip, and keep your feet going. If they take you down, then we set the ball and ruck over it.
Forwards....we'll keep working on putting those forward punches (Tigers) and quick picks (maybe we'll call them "Tiggers") in. We're going to keep possession of the ball, we'll break some of them, and we'll score some tries too.
Backs....I need my backs at practice. We're getting towards having a consistent line and we've got to get our plays in place.
You all should be proud of the way you played Saturday. I'd love to see a rematch of that game at the end of the season. There were moments of utter frustration, there were moments of brilliance, and there was a lot of good stuff out there.....we're gonna keep working, we're gonna keep playing better and better rugby, and we're gonna come out of nowhere and surprise a lot of people.
I appreciate all your efforts...get out to practice.
Tuesday - Reviewing a lot of what we saw Saturday. Introducing defensive strategy. Working on our offense from the 22 in.
Wednesday - Breaking up into forwards/backs for most of practice. One group with me, one with Georgia. We'll pull it together at the end and run unopposed.
Thursday - We'll see how Tuesday and Wednesday progress and go from there.
RANDOM UPDATES
JEFF's NOSE - This has to be about the tenth time I've broken my nose, and it's no big deal. Still dislocated and will hopefully find a doctor sometime this week to put it back. You all are gonna love the black eyes I'm growing. What's the lesson YOU all should learn? This is why I try to show you all to play rugby safely....let your opposition tackle/hit areas that are more durable, and avoid letting them tackle/hit areas that aren't. So why don't I follow my own advice? #1...cause I'm pretty durable. #2....sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do to get the ball back (we were down by 9 points with 10 minutes left). #3....I happened to look up as I was counter-rucking and a knee was headed right for my face (chalk it up to bad timing).
GW Game Saturday - The GW game is postponed. I believe that we are going to make it up at the end of the season. I don't think that has been confirmed yet.
BBQ - I mentioned possibly having a BBQ at my house this Sunday afternoon/evening. We'll figure out Wednesday whether we'll do that....based on how many people can make it, whether we can get everyone up to Bel Air, etc, etc. I'll be playing Saturday, so unfortunately that's not an option. If it doesn't work out....we'll have a BBQ sometime this fall.
I think that's it....get to practice, get CIPP'd....
See you Tuesday,
Jeff
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